Brendon Batson: Football Pioneer and Big Ron Betrayal - Part Two

Welcome to It Was What It Was for part two of our interview with Brendan Batson, a trailblazer in English football.

Brendon tells Jonathan and Rob about his impactful time at West Bromwich Albion as part of the iconic 'Three Degrees' with Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham.

We discuss his teammates, the tragic losses and his work to combat racism. Brendon also gives us an insight into the personal impact of his former manager Ron Atkinson's notorious comments on live television.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:07 Brendan Batson's Early Career and Challenges

03:00 The China Tour Experience

06:20 The Three Degrees Phenomenon

12:32 Impact and Legacy of Black Players

18:37 Knee Injury and Career Transition

20:10 Coaching Courses and Philosophies

24:24 The Evolution of a Coaching Philosophy

24:42 The One-Size-Fits-All Approach

25:50 Player Welfare and Career Transitions

27:59 Tragic Losses and Their Impact

28:38 The Legacy of Laurie Cunningham

32:33 Racism in Football: A Personal Betrayal

38:20 The Complexity of Racism in Football

41:21 The Fight Against Racism: Past and Present

46:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

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